Core i5-11500T vs Core Ultra 7 164U

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i5-11500T vs Core Ultra 7 164U FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i5-11500T vs Core Ultra 7 164U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-11500T

2021

Why buy it

✅+8.4% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅66.7% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 7 164U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $192 MSRP, while Core Ultra 7 164U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌Older platform position on LGA1200 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 7 164U moves to FCBGA2551 and DDR5.

Core Ultra 7 164U

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +20.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA2551 with DDR5 support instead of LGA1200 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (8,766 vs 9,500).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-11500T better than Core Ultra 7 164U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core Ultra 7 164U is ahead with a 20.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-11500T pulls ahead with 8.4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-11500T is the stronger fit. You are getting 8.4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i5-11500T is the better buy right now. Core i5-11500T comes in at an unclear MSRP at $192 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 8.4% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. The compromise is that Core Ultra 7 164U is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 20.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (66.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core Ultra 7 164U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2021) and a healthier platform with FCBGA2551 and DDR5 instead of LGA1200. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i5-11500T vs Core Ultra 7 164U Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i5-11500T

The Core i5-11500T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 12,730 points. Launch price was $149.

Core Ultra 7 164U

The Core Ultra 7 164U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Meteor Lake-U (2023) architecture. It features 12 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2551. Thermal design power (TDP): + 12 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 12,625 points. Launch price was $448.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-11500T packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 164U offers 12 cores / 14 threads — the Core Ultra 7 164U has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-11500T versus 4.8 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 164U — a 20.7% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 7 164U (base: 1.5 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i5-11500T uses the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Core Ultra 7 164U uses Meteor Lake-U (2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-11500T scores 12,730 against the Core Ultra 7 164U's 12,625 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i5-11500T. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 9,500 vs 8,766 (8% advantage for the Core i5-11500T). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,818 vs 2,131, a 15.9% lead for the Core Ultra 7 164U that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 6,306 vs 8,973 (34.9% advantage for the Core Ultra 7 164U). Both processors carry 12 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-11500T	Core Ultra 7 164U
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	12 / 14+100%
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz	4.8 GHz+23%
Base Clock	1.5 GHz+36%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+12700%	2 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	7 nm-50%
Architecture	Rocket Lake (2021)	Meteor Lake-U (2023)
PassMark	12,730	12,625
Cinebench R23 Multi	9,500+8%	8,766
Geekbench 6 Single	1,818	2,131+17%
Geekbench 6 Multi	6,306	8,973+42%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-11500T uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core Ultra 7 164U uses FCBGA2551 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-11500T versus LPDDR5x-6400 on the Core Ultra 7 164U — the Core Ultra 7 164U supports 100% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-11500T supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-11500T) vs 12 (Core Ultra 7 164U) — the Core i5-11500T offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H510,B560,Z590,Q570 (Core i5-11500T) and Meteor Lake-U (Core Ultra 7 164U).

Feature	Core i5-11500T	Core Ultra 7 164U
Socket	LGA1200	FCBGA2551
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	LPDDR5x-6400+100%
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB+100%	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20+67%	12

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Core i5-11500T supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-11500T) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 7 164U). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 750 (Core i5-11500T) and Intel Arc (Core Ultra 7 164U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-11500T targets Quiet Desktop / SFF, Core Ultra 7 164U targets Enthusiast. Direct competitor: Core i5-11500T rivals Core i5-10500T; Core Ultra 7 164U rivals Ryzen 7 7840U.

Feature	Core i5-11500T	Core Ultra 7 164U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 750	Intel Arc
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Quiet Desktop / SFF	Enthusiast